System and method for enhanced device interface for seniors and challenged users

ABSTRACT

A system and method for a customizable or adaptable user interface includes a touchscreen and a memory storing identification data corresponding to a device user. A processor generates a device interface screen on the display including a display of at least one user selectable, pressure sensitive area. The processor monitors input characteristic of a user selection during interaction with the pressure sensitive area and the memory stores a user interaction parameter corresponding to the device user in accordance with stored identification data. The processor adjusts an input parameter of the user selectable area in accordance with the input characteristic and the user interaction parameter. The processor then completes a document processing operation in accordance with instructions received from the user via interaction with the selectable area and an adjusted input characteristic.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This application relates generally to adjustable or adaptable userinterfaces for digital devices. The application relates moreparticularly to human operation of multifunction peripherals using aninterface that is more conducive to people with special needs orchallenges.

BACKGROUND

Document processing devices include printers, copiers, scanners ande-mail gateways. More recently, devices employing two or more of thesefunctions are found in office environments. These devices are referredto as multifunction peripherals (MFPs) or multifunction devices (MFDs).As used herein, MFPs are understood to comprise printers, alone or incombination with other of the afore-noted functions. It is furtherunderstood that any suitable document processing device can be used.

Given the expense in obtaining and maintain MFPs, devices are frequentlyshared or monitored by users or technicians via a data network. MFPs,while moveable, are generally maintained in a fixed location. A user mayapproach an MFP for purposes such as faxing from paper or electronicdocuments. Paper documents may be fed into a scanner for copying orfaxing. Electronic documents may be on a portable data device, such as aCD, DVD or flash memory. Print outs may be made wirelessly from aportable digital device, such as a smartphone, tablet, or laptopcomputing device. Users may also send document processing jobs, such asa print request, to one or more networked devices. In a typical shareddevice setting, one or more workstations are connected via a network.When a user wants to print a document, an electronic copy of thatdocument is sent to a document processing device via the network. Theuser may select a particular device when several are available. The userthen walks to the selected device and picks up their job or waits forthe printed document to be output. In these types of situations, usersmust still approach an MFP and control it directly.

MFP control is via a user interface, such as with switches, a keyboard,touchscreen, mouse, trackball or the like. Most, if not all, of standarduser interface components are designed for the average or most commonusers. However, people have different physical characteristics that canmake it more difficult, if not impossible, to use some or all of MFPcapabilities.

SUMMARY

In accordance with an example embodiment of the subject application, asystem and method for a customizable or adaptable user interfaceincludes a touchscreen and a memory storing identification datacorresponding to a device user. A processor generates a device interfacescreen on the display including a display of at least one userselectable, pressure sensitive area. The processor monitors inputcharacteristic of a user selection during interaction with the pressuresensitive area and the memory stores a user interaction parametercorresponding to the device user in accordance with storedidentification data. The processor adjusts an input parameter of theuser selectable area in accordance with the input characteristic and theuser interaction parameter. The processor then completes a documentprocessing operation in accordance with instructions received from theuser via interaction with the selectable area and an adjusted inputcharacteristic.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various embodiments will become better understood with regard to thefollowing description, appended claims and accompanying drawingswherein:

FIG. 1 an example embodiment of a multifunction processor with anadaptable or customizable interface;

FIG. 2 is an example embodiment of a document rendering system;

FIG. 3 is a software block diagram of an example embodiment of anadaptable or customizable user interface;

FIG. 4 is an example embodiment of an MFP interface;

FIG. 5 is an example embodiment of MFP keyboard adjustment;

FIG. 6 is an example embodiment of MFP keyboard adjustment;

FIG. 7 is an example embodiment of a MFP keyboard adjustment;

FIG. 8A is a side view of an example embodiment of a user interface

FIG. 8B is a top view of an example embodiment of a user interface;

FIG. 9 is an example embodiment of varied input forces;

FIG. 10 is an example embodiment of a touchscreen user interface; and

FIG. 11 is an example embodiment of altering keyboard timing.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The systems and methods disclosed herein are described in detail by wayof examples and with reference to the figures. It will be appreciatedthat modifications to disclosed and described examples, arrangements,configurations, components, elements, apparatuses, devices methods,systems, etc. can suitably be made and may be desired for a specificapplication. In this disclosure, any identification of specifictechniques, arrangements, etc. are either related to a specific examplepresented or are merely a general description of such a technique,arrangement, etc. Identifications of specific details or examples arenot intended to be, and should not be, construed as mandatory orlimiting unless specifically designated as such.

As noted above, MFP user interfaces are geared to more common users.Certain classes of users may have one or more physical challenges thatmake it difficult, frustrating or impossible to use an MFP productively.Challenges may be as straightforward as a user interface being out ofreach. Examples may include people confined to wheelchairs or withdwarfism. While such may be addressed by aids such as ramps, raisedseating or stepstools, many users have substantive physical challengesthat are unaddressed.

Users with visual challenges may be unable to read interfaces with smallfonts. Color blind users may not be able to distinguish between certainforeground and background color combinations, such as may be found on adisplay panel. Certain users may have involuntary movements, such ashand trembling or twitching. This may result in a user depressing a hardor soft key multiple times when only one depression is intended. Certainusers may experience partial or complete loss of sight.

It may be impractical to design user interfaces for every type ofchallenged user, particularly since different users may havesubstantially different degrees of a similar challenge. For example, oneuser may need extreme magnification of control screens while anotherbenefits from only slight magnification. Since less information or fewercontrols can fit on a touchscreen display that has been magnified,having more magnification than needed can cause a user to be lessefficient in operating an MFP.

Referring to FIG. 1, illustrated is an example embodiment of a system100 that addresses varying needs for different users as described above.While the example is directed to document processing devices, it will beappreciated that adaptive or customizable controls are suitablyimplemented in connection with any device control interface. Includedwith MFP 104 is a user interface 110, suitably comprised of a panelincluding a display, such as a touchscreen display, switches, trackball,mouse or any other suitable human/device interface. In the illustratedexample, user interface is detachable as illustrated by 110′, and indata communication with the MFP via any suitable wireless or wiredconnection, including serialized data communications such as universalserial bus (USB), radio frequency connections such as WiFi, Bluetooth,near-filed communication (NFC), or optical connections such as infrared,ultraviolet, or optical spectrum light or laser. The removable userinterface is suitably powered by a tether, battery or wireless powertransfer. The removable user interface allows for easier interactionwith shorter users or seated users, such as those in a wheelchair. Theuser interface may include one or more aspects of customizability,wherein modifications for one or more users are set by an administratoror by users themselves. The user interface may also be adaptable bymonitoring user interaction and making adjustments accordingly.Depending on user need, modifications may include providing of hapticfeedback, such as vibration to confirm an entry. This may beparticularly advantageous when users are both visually and hearingimpaired. Other feedback may include audible or indicator light orstrobe feedback for visually impaired users. A variable font, such asenlarging a font, may be used for near-sighted users. A user selectiontarget, such as a soft key or selector on a touchscreen display, may beused for visually impaired users or users with diminished motor skillswho might find it difficult to direct their finger to a smaller targetor object.

Variable keyboard or touchscreen sensitivity can be implemented so as toaccommodate weaker or infirm users. Tactile feedback, such as with athree-dimensional touchscreen display, can advantageously be employedfor blind or visually impaired users. Three dimensional touchscreens areprogrammable to have selected raised portions. These can be used to showselection areas or generate usable information, such as Braille letters.

Certain users may be prone to shaking or twitching, making it possiblefor them to mistakenly enter the same selection or keystroke multipletimes. This may be addressed by modification in key response time, suchas requiring a set delay before consecutive entries of the same key areregistered. Display colors may also be altered to accommodate colorblind users who may not be able to perceive certain foreground colorsrelative to certain background colors.

Turning now to FIG. 2, illustrated is an example embodiment of adocument rendering system 200 suitably comprised within an MFP, such aswith MFP 104 of FIG. 1. Included in controller 201 are one or moreprocessors, such as that illustrated by processor 202. Each processor issuitably associated with non-volatile memory, such as ROM 204, andrandom access memory (RAM) 206, via a data bus 212. Processor 202 isalso in data communication with a storage interface 208 for reading orwriting to a storage 216, suitably comprised of a hard disk, opticaldisk, solid-state disk, cloud-based storage, or any other suitable datastorage as will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art.

Processor 202 is also in data communication with a network interface 210which provides an interface to a network interface controller (NIC) 214,which in turn provides a data path to any suitable wired or physicalnetwork connection 218 or to a wireless data connection via wirelessnetwork interface 220. Example wireless connections include cellular,Wi-Fi, BLUETOOTH, NFC, wireless universal serial bus (wireless USB),satellite, and the like. Example wired interfaces include Ethernet, USB,IEEE 1394 (FireWire), LIGHTNING, telephone line, or the like.

Processor 202 can also be in data communication with any suitable userinput/output (I/O) interface 219 which provides data communication withuser peripherals, such as displays, keyboards, mice, track balls,touchscreens, or the like. Also in data communication with data bus 212is a document processor interface 222 suitable for data communicationwith MFP functional units 250. In the illustrate example, these unitsinclude copy hardware 240, scan hardware 242, print hardware 244 and faxhardware 246 which together comprise MFP functional hardware 250. Itwill be understood that functional units are suitably comprised ofintelligent units, including any suitable hardware or software platform.

Turning now to FIG. 3, illustrated is a software block diagram 300 foroperation of an embodiment of an adaptable or customizable userinterface as described herein. Software component 310 suitably includesa module 320 for determining input sensitivity, such as for depressingswitches, keys or a touchscreen. Module 330 provides for input of timingbetween key depressions of the same key or touchscreen selection. Module340 controls keyboard, switch or touchscreen sensitivity. Module 350provides for filtering input errors, including correction of inaccuratetyping.

Turning next to FIGS. 4-6, illustrated is are example embodiments ofuser interfaces that are customizable for one or more users by anadministrator or by users themselves. FIG. 4 illustrates MFP keyboard ortouchscreen sensitivity selection via a dropdown menu. FIG. 5illustrates adjustment of MFP keyboard or touchscreen sensitivity by aslider bar when a SPECIAL VALUE selection is chosen from the drop downmenu of FIG. 4. FIG. 6 illustrates a selector for a duration definingwhen consecutive presses of the same key or selection will berecognized.

Referring now to FIG. 7, illustrated is an example embodiment of MFPtouchscreen control panel 700 that includes MFP document processingselections, having selectable target areas including zoom 704, two-sidedoutput 708, finishing options 712 and original mode selection 716. Alsoincluded are selectable areas for full color printing 720, black andwhite printing 724, grayscale printing 728 and generation of a proofcopy 732. A modified touchscreen control panel 700′ has target areasenlarged, including zoom 704′, two-sided 708, finishing 712′ andoriginal mode 716′ which are counterparts to the control areas of screen700. The target areas have been enlarged to accommodate users. In thisinstance, there is a tradeoff in available selections given theadditional use of display space.

FIG. 8 includes a side view (a) and a top view (b) of an exampleembodiment of a user interface comprising a three dimensionaltouchscreen, such as an LCD or OLED touchscreen that has a surface thatcan be selectively extended above the plane of the display panel. In theexample embodiment, portions areas 804 and 808 have been selectivelycontrolled so as to display Braille characters for responding to a yesor no confirmation to complete a print operation. A Braille letter Y isgenerated in area 804 and a Braille letter N is generated in area 808. Avisually challenged user can determine the letter and make theirselection accordingly by depressing the corresponding Braille area.Visible characters are also suitably rendered, such as in a large fontin the event that the user possesses limited vision. Visual selectionmay be confirmed such as by highlighting or underlining, both of whichare present in the letter Y in YES selection 812. Audible prompting mayalso be generated, such as via speaker 816.

FIG. 9 illustrates an example embodiment of varied forces that may beselected or set on a key, keyboard or force sensing touchscreen such asillustrated by surface 902. One or more selections may default to or beset to a higher force level, such as area 906 while one or moreselections may be set to a lower force level such as area 910.

FIG. 10 illustrates an example embodiment of a touchscreen userinterface 1000 that includes a software settable selectable contact area1010. Areas 1020 may indicate touches by a user as they try to hitcontact area 1010. Touches outside of area 1010 indicate that the usermay have an impairment that prevents them for accurately hitting thetarget sized at area 1010. The MFP processor suitably calculates anextended range by the user's selections, and may generate an enlargedtarget area 1040. Enlarged area 1040 may be a default, larger size, ormay be enlarged to accommodate the user's prior attempts. The settingsmay be captured for the user and stored for future reference, and may beapplied to other target areas for other user selections.

FIG. 11 illustrates an example embodiment of varying delay periods 1100for recognition of successive depressions of the same key or area.Timeline 1110 shows how three rapidly successive pushes 1112, 1116 and1120 can result in two selections when successive entries 1124 and 1128are taken with a delay period of T1 recognized between commandacceptances. Timeline 1130 shows an adjustment of the key acceptancedelay to T2. It will be seen that with this adjustment, correspondingkeystrokes 1112′, 1116′ and 1120′ are analogous to the earlierkeystrokes relative to timing, but in this instance, the added delayresults in no second activation of the same key at 1128′.

While certain embodiments have been described, these embodiments havebeen presented by way of example only, and are not intended to limit thescope of the inventions. Indeed, the novel embodiments described hereinmay be embodied in a variety of other forms; furthermore, variousomissions, substitutions and changes in the form of the embodimentsdescribed herein may be made without departing from the spirit of theinventions. The accompanying claims and their equivalents are intendedto cover such forms or modifications as would fall within the spirit andscope of the inventions.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system comprising: a user interface including apressure sensitive input; a memory configured to store identificationdata corresponding to a device user, and store a user interactionparameter corresponding to the device user in accordance with storedidentification data; and a processor configured to generate a deviceinterface screen on a display monitor input characteristic of a userselection during interaction with the pressure sensitive input, adjustan input parameter of the pressure sensitive input in accordance withthe input characteristic and the user interaction parameter, andcomplete a document processing operation in accordance with instructionsreceived from the user via interaction with the pressure sensitive inputand an adjusted input characteristic.
 2. The system of claim 1 whereinthe processor is further configured to monitor the input characteristiccomprised of a pressure level of the user selection, and wherein theuser interaction parameter is comprised of a pressure setting associatedwith the user.
 3. The system of claim 1 wherein the processor is furtherconfigured to monitor the input characteristic comprised of a series ofselections during a selected duration, and wherein the user interactionparameter is comprised of duration setting associated with the user andthe pressure sensitive input.
 4. The system of claim 1 wherein the userinteraction parameter defines a projection level of at least a portionof the pressure sensitive input from a surface of a touchscreen.
 5. Thesystem of claim 4 wherein the user interaction parameter defines atleast one Braille indicator on the surface of the touchscreen.
 6. Thesystem of claim 1 wherein the processor generates the user interactionparameter to adjust a size of the pressure sensitive input comprised ofa pressure sensitive area on a touchscreen.
 7. The system of claim 1wherein the processor generates the user interaction parameter as hapticfeedback on the pressure sensitive input.
 8. A method comprising:generating a device control display area on a touchscreen; receivingpressure level data corresponding to user pressure applied on thetouchscreen in accordance with the control display; adjusting aparameter of the control display in accordance with pressure level data;receiving user selection data from an adjusted control display; andcompleting a document processing operation in accordance with receiveduser selection data.
 9. The method of claim 8 wherein adjusting theparameter of the control display includes resizing the display area. 10.The method of claim 9 wherein resizing the display area includesresizing a font size of text displayed on the touchscreen.
 11. Themethod of claim 8 wherein the pressure level data includes data frompressure applied within the display area and outside of the displayarea.
 12. The method of claim 8 wherein adjusting the parameter of thecontrol display includes adjusting a pressure sensitivity of the displayarea.
 13. The method of claim 8 wherein adjusting the parameter of thecontrol display includes generating haptic feedback on the display area.14. The method of claim 8 further comprising generating a confirmationprompt to the user after receiving the user selection data from theadjusted control display.
 15. The method of claim 8 wherein theconfirmation prompt is comprised of an audible or visual indicator. 16.A document processing device including: a device controller including aprocessor and memory; a touch sensitive display; wherein the processoris configured to generate a device control screen having at least oneuser selectable area on the touch sensitive display; wherein theprocessor is further configured to receive display control parameterdata corresponding to a device user; wherein the processor is furtherconfigured to adjust a property of the device control screen inaccordance with received display control parameter data; wherein theprocessor is further configured to receive a control selection from anassociated user via an adjusted user selectable area of control screen;and wherein the processor is further configured to commence a documentprocessing operation in accordance with a received control selection.17. The device of claim 16 wherein the processor is further configuredto receive the display control parameter data indicative of a selectedpressure corresponding to input from the adjusted user selectable area.18. The device of claim 16 wherein the processor is further configuredto receive the display control parameter indicative of a selectedduration of pressure corresponding to input from the user selectablearea.
 19. The device of claim 16 wherein the processor is furtherconfigured to receive the display control parameter data comprised of adisplay color selection.
 20. The device of claim 16 wherein theprocessor is further configured to receive the display control parameterdata comprised of three dimensional Braille output generation data.